Mei Li advanced toward the gate of the Crimson Lotus Residence.
The symbol of the crimson lotus, carved into the stone above the dark wood, seemed inert at first glance. She raised her hand without hesitation. Two drops of blood welled from the tips of her fingers and fell onto the surface of the formation embedded in the gate.
The blood was absorbed silently.
For a brief instant, thin lines of red light ran across the gate like awakening veins. An almost imperceptible pulse passed through the entire wall, sweeping the inner area. Then, the gate opened inward, without a creak, revealing the interior of the residence.
The inner courtyard was spacious and enclosed, isolated from the outside world by multiple layers of formations. The ground was made of dark jade slabs, cold and perfectly aligned.
At the center, a shallow lotus-shaped pond reflected the light of the sky filtered through a translucent covering. The water had a subtle reddish hue, far too dense to be ordinary.
The air inside was different.
Stable. Controlled. Saturated with refined Blood Qi, but in such a well-regulated manner that it caused no discomfort at all. It was like returning to the fortress of the Bloody Court.
Two-story buildings surrounded the courtyard. The walls were simple, but Kyrian immediately perceived the defensive arrays hidden beneath the surface. They were not ostentatious formations but silent layers, designed to resist, alert, and isolate.
A place made to survive.
"Everything is functional," Mei Li said in a low voice.
"The formations responded correctly."
Kyrian nodded.
They proceeded into the interior of the residence. A main corridor led to several wings. Dark wooden doors, reinforced with spiritual metal, lined both sides. Each room possessed a basic formation of isolation and Qi concentration, sufficient for cultivation or safe rest.
"Choose your rooms," Kyrian said.
"It makes no difference to me."
The group dispersed without delay.
Bai Zhu chose a room near the courtyard, complaining in a low voice but satisfied with the size.
Yan Ling preferred a more distant room, clearly interested in the silence. Kai took the first one he saw and disappeared. Li Fen chose a place with a partial view of the corridor. Mei Li stayed in the room closest to the inner entrance.
Kyrian waited.
When everyone finished, he went to the central hall of the residence. It was a simple hall, with a long table of black wood and a few heavy chairs. The environment was functional, clearly designed for meetings and quick decisions.
Shortly after, everyone was gathered again.
Kyrian stood at the front of the table.
"This will be our base while we are in the capital," he said, his voice calm and firm.
"You are free to do as you wish while the auction does not begin."
His eyes slowly swept across the group.
"But avoid unnecessary conflicts. The auction is still some distance away, and we do not need to draw attention before the proper time."
There were a few discreet nods.
"As Dong Zhen made clear," Kyrian continued.
"You represent the Bloody Court here. Do not disappoint him."
The pressure behind the words was clear.
"I will take care of something separate."
No one asked what.
Everyone understood.
...
In the room assigned to him, Kyrian closed the door and activated the isolation formation with a subtle touch. The outside world was immediately silenced.
He removed the crimson robe of the Bloody Court, folding it carefully before storing it in his spatial ring.
In its place, he donned a simple robe, dark in tone, without symbols, without adornments. Common enough to blend into the crowd.
When he left the residence, Kyrian no longer looked like an emissary of a feared force. Just another cultivator walking through the streets of the Empire of Clouds.
...
The main street of the Fifth District was bustling.
Cultivators came and went in small groups. Merchants announced products with trained voices. The smell of food, spiritual alcohol, and incense mingled in the air. There was no chaos, but there was energy.
Kyrian walked for a few minutes, observing shopfronts, discreet symbols, and unfamiliar faces. Then he stopped in front of a two-story restaurant, clearly popular among wandering cultivators.
He entered.
The hall was full, but not crowded. Tables occupied by people talking animatedly. Kyrian chose a simple table against the side wall with a good view of the surroundings. He sat down and waited.
A waiter approached shortly after.
"What would you like?"
"Spiritual beast stew," Kyrian replied.
"Grilled meat. And common wine."
The man took note and moved away.
Kyrian leaned back slightly in his chair and began to listen.
Conversations flowed without care.
"... the seats of honor at the auction are already almost all taken."
"... they say at least two other great forces of the 3rd level have confirmed their presence."
Nothing unexpected.
Then a conversation at another table caught his attention.
"The principal disciple of the Cloud Academy will also be there."
Kyrian focused immediately.
"The kid with the special physique?" another replied.
"I heard he has already defeated instructors in the middle of the Core Formation realm."
"The Cloud Academy does not train ordinary people." Someone commented.
"Whoever enters there defines their own future in the Empire."
Kyrian listened in silence.
The Cloud Academy was the absolute center of training in the Empire. The place where talents were molded and classified. Whoever failed to enter would never occupy positions of respect, regardless of individual strength.
Another group mentioned the imperial family.
"The princess should appear."
"And the two princes."
"The eldest already commands troops."
"The youngest... they say he is dangerous, but no one knows why."
Kyrian absorbed everything.
Then he felt something different.
A gaze.
He raised his eyes slowly.
At an isolated table, a young man was sitting alone. He wore simple clothes, had low cultivation, and had an ordinary appearance. Still, his eyes were fixed on Kyrian with excessive attention.
He did not avert them when Kyrian met his gaze.
Strange.
Before Kyrian could analyze it further, the young man suddenly stood up and walked to his table. He sat down across from him without asking permission.
Kyrian frowned slightly.
"Do you need something?" he asked in a neutral tone.
The young man smiled, a wide smile, almost exaggerated.
"Me?" He leaned forward.
"I need money."
His eyes gleamed.
"And you, from what I observed... need information."
He opened his arms slightly.
"You can call me Yao."
The smile widened even more.
"Instead of listening to poorly explained rumors from those people, why not ask directly someone who truly knows the Empire of Clouds?"
Kyrian assessed him in silence.
The young man was right. He had been watching him since he entered.
A mid-grade spiritual stone appeared in Kyrian’s hand and was gently placed on the table.
"Then speak," Kyrian said calmly.
"Tell me what you know about the Cloud Coliseum."